Mike V: Do Or Die iPhone Game Review

There are a couple skate games currently on the market—it didn’t take long for people to decide skateboarding on your phone was something kids wanted to do. There’s only one game, though, that is 100% pro endorsed, and that’s Mike V: Do Or Die. Recently launched from Ratrod Studios, the game’s available for $4.99 on your iPhone or iTunes.

The plot sort of loosely follows Mike V’s career trajectory, beginning in the late 80s, and moving up through the Powell days, to the Element days and so on. Along the way there are several board graphics to unlock (though I’m sticking with the OG Elephant, thank you very much).

The soundtrack is all Mike V’s music, too, so you can listen to him while you skate like him. And speaking of skating like him, the game is jam-packed with all of Mike V’s signature moves. You can do the obligatory kickflip and heelflip, but you can also No Comply, Boneless, Benihana, and many other back-in-the-day tricks—even something called a “Battagliotti hand-flip.”

As you maneuver throughout the 7 levels (skatepark, vert ramp, rooftop, ditch, etc), and progress, you can change up your kit in the “Active Ride Shop.” There are 4 “Mike V’s” you can select from: Pioneer, Innovator, Legend and Rockstar.

Interestingly enough, I could never make my Mike V character do a nollie heelflip, even though it’s available in the trick list. I’ll just chalk that up to the O.G. Elephant board I’m too stubborn to give up.

All in all, the game is pretty impressive for something you play on your telephone. The game, like Mike himself, will be around for a long long time.